The defeated man walked in slowly and sat near the Neo Kurdistan fighter, one who as of yet he didn't mind. Sitting down at the bar he requested some tea. The bartender was about to argue, but a quick glare told him that Franz was in no mood for any of that.

"So Neo Kurdistan, how did your first match go?" Franz asked actually interested. Most of the others here he could guess, but the young fighter next to him was a mystery. Kydan could probably guess with Franz as there were some visible bruises on his face and arms.

Simo saw the two at the bar, and recognized his "buddy" from the meet and greet. He sat a stool away, and order a soda, much to the barkeeps chagrin. "Not another one. this isn't the kids table." Simo was not feeling it, as he turned to his fellow fighters, and plainly said "Hey."

Rin wasn't quite far enough into her drinks to go unawares that much of the room had their eyes on her and Allison. She leaned her head onto the shoulder of the taller woman in a cute drunk fashion when Allison put her arm around her, fueling the respective fantasies of the rest of the men in the bar.

She liked Allison's prerequisite for an interview, giggling when she heard it, and when Dante jumped on to Reapers back with almost no warning she lost it, laughing hysterically with the room to the point that she almost couldn't breath and using the bar and her paramour to help remain upright.When she recovered, and Allison came back over, she draped herself over the side of the blond woman; necking her and blowing in her ear, putting a suggestive leg between Allison's, "Yess, wat do youu want to askk herr?" she slurred towards Dante, partly to mess him, the other part was to get her Aussie companion in the mood to make about half of those male fantasies come true.

_________________IAN: (Shaking fist up at sky in a storm of GN particles) Science does not WORK this way, Setsuna!!!

Dante's brief bull-riding escapade had lured him out of his drowsiness and into a bizarre state of energy. Neo-Japan's fighter, conversely, made him completely forget what he was thinking about. "So, uhhhhhhhh... Ummmmmmm... Eeeeeeeeeeehhhhhh..."

Reaper stepped up again. "Perhaps, sir, we have obtained a decent amount of interviews for tonight? You may as well feel free to return to being casual." He had been thoroughly demeaned tonight, and had no intentions of continuing.

"Uh, yeah what he said." Dante was too busy reminiscing about the high point of an amazing, if not heartbreaking party. He was too drunk to remember why he was doing this anyway. flowers, now he needed a drink. "BARTENDER: GIVE ME SOMETHING CHEAP!"

Dieter walked through the bar's main door (THROUGH it) and bellied up to the bar with Cerise in tow. He brushed a few remaining bits of wood other debris from his shoulders and then slammed a palm down on the bar with a loud crack to get the barkeep's attention. "BARMANN. BIER," he succinctly demanded, a slight scowl on his face. "Monsieur Dieter, you should be happy, no? You won ze match and Aiko only yelled at you a bit zis time!" Ceriese encouraged him and patted the back of his hand.

"Eh," he grunted, waving away the cheerful praise. The Neo Finnish fighter had given him enough trouble to cause a headache to linger after the match, particularly after Aiko was done bemoaning the condition the Effizienz was brought back in. At least the repairs would be done quickly. Dieter inhaled the first glass of beer the bartender sat down in front of him and gave him a disapproving look. "I want enough for a man to drink, ja? Don't bring me this baby glass," he said, flicking over the empty pint, "In a stein this time,".

While he waited for a real drink, he surveyed the other noisy people already in the place. He snorted a half-laugh at Rin and Allison and tried to ignore the rest. Particularly the noisy child and his pet robot man. Cerise blinked at the loud commotion and slid a little closer to Dieter.

"I won..." Was all he said in his reply as he took another drink. Then it seemed a third person sat down and didn't order an alcohol which didn't bother him any. He was sworn to abstinence from drinking due to his own code but the idea of other warriors doing the same didn't phase him. Normally people found companionship in even the must subtle similarities but not him. He had a job and was serious until this thing was over.

"Good, at least someone worthy won." Franz said as he nodded to Simo as he arrived. "Russia, quite surprised me today. Their not in tese finals for nothing I'll admit." Franz was still very sore from his match against the Buran and was quite agitated at the pilot. The man fought not honorably, but wildly. To him this wasn't a sport, but actual war. Franz snorted at the thought before taking a sip of his tea. "And how did you do?" Franz asked the newcommer Simo.

"Glad to ha..." Caleb tried to respond to Allison's cheers, but his words were starting to slur worse and worse as he continued sipping from that damn bottle. " your appro... something or other Ms. Alli's son."

The badly broken English would probably not go unnoticed, but that was fine. His entire team, from his Uncle, to the Neo Spanish military unit that was supposed to be their security, were just as wasted as he was. If not more so. He was glad of that fact, considering it would not do for his mother, who had raised him a devout Catholic young man, to hear of his escapades that night, particularly with her health situation being as precarious as it was.

In fact he could see his best friend Miguel Andres Ortiz, the head engineer for his team leaning heavily on the bar, as he tried to make come hither motions toward Rin, the hilarious part was however, that his friend was doing this toward the woman's reflection against the mirrored wall to the far side of the bar."What ya lookin' at there buddy?" Caleb heard their team's attractive Intelligence and Psychoanalysis officer Malia ask of Miguel, which caused a loud drunken chuckle to erupt from his lungs.

"Ohh Canuter valves!" as he saw the very broken door, with the very sore Dieter getting a really big beer. "Sorry to bother, yet as they say online 'Gee-two-Gee'" as he hoped over the bar. Simo know he was a little hurting, yet it seemed like Dieter was a little more sore, as he BROKE a door. As he snaked his way to the other side of the bar, he heard more ramblings and Broken English. "Almost there" as he passed the bar to see...

"Awww, party pooper" allison replied childishly at reaper, proceeding to down two of her newly arrived batch of shots. and adressed caleb "anytime, darling." she purred before licking the side of Rins face, with a grin she then gave rin a kiss much like the one that was given to her earlier that evening, creeping one hand around and up rins waist while ignoring the almighty CRASH that reverberated through the bar as the entrance door exploded, when she finally ended their little make out session she glanced out the corner of her eye and saw a rather peeved looking dieter covered in splinters at the bar with what looked like a girl in a maid outfit next to him.

Dante could not peel his eyes away from Rin and Alison. He opened his mouth and began "You know, my ex would really love thi-" He was cut off with a firm backhand slap from Reaper. "Dude, what the f*ck?"

"Ever since you and your girlfriend broke up, I have been on direct orders from your Uncle. I quote his directive verbatim. 'If he whines like a b*tch, then smack him like one.' The order was never rescinded, and I am simply carrying out said directive." Dante grunted.

"It's just, you know, when I'm around, I make girls hop into each other's arms. Never mine, you know?" (OOC: Apparently the effect carries over into the Internet. Yaaaaaaaaaay.)

"I know very little about romance, but I am aware that complaining does not make you any more appealing to me, and if you annoy me, you will most likely annoy every female in the immediate vicinity."

Dante made a very obscene gesture to his bodyguard and drank his beer. But before long, his phone was ringing. After stumbling around, almost dropping it, he answered it. Marcus's voice was vaguely familiar to the intoxicated writer. "Hey Dante, I'm at the spa, trying to feel my body again and not flip out. Where you at?"

"Uhhhhh... Do you call it a bar or a pub?"

"...Put Reaper on." Dante handed the phone over to Reaper.

"I'm very sorry about your cousin, sir. While I am impressed that he still clings to consciousness, I must apologize for arriving after he had alreay intoxicated himself."

"He'll face his punishment tomorrow morning. Look, did you hear from Uncle Adam?"

"If you are referring to your father's tirade against Neo Israel, then yes. I have already planned to remind your cousin to write a formal letter of apology."

"Never mind that, I've already invited their team to dinner. Have him whip up a speech for me, OK?"

"I do hope he'll be in the shape do so..." Reaper glanced over at Dante, who was now fighting to stay awake.

Meanwhile, in his suite Raphael was getting ready for dinner that night. He was extremely tired from the fight, but otherwise uninjured. All he really wanted to do was sleep, but his pride wouldn't allow him to turn down the dinner invitation from Marcus. "6:00 already? I'd better get going then."

At her office in the MS hanger for the Maccabee Gundam, Golda was dealing with "problems" of her own sort. She placed a call on her video phone over a secure line to a certain man who worked in a very plain office in a nondescript building on the Neo Israel colony. "Shalom Gol- "Hust!" Golda reprimanded the man cutting him off mid word. "This is not a social call. I have a favor to ask of you. I need a certain man to have a little car accident." "Oh? Anything for you of course." "Good. I'll send you the details now." Golda said with much satisfaction. It took a moment for her file to be sent to the man. "What a catch! This man (Nero Caligulas), he's the head of a powerful Italian mob family. We've been looking for him for quite some time. We aren't the only ones. Even the UN SPACY would like to see this man get some quality time in siberia or worse. I'll send out our best man right away." he man was obviously exited to have gotten an unexpected lead. "Thats the best news I've heard all day. Make this mamzer pay." Golda said with much relief now that the problem would be taken care of. "Oy! What a disgusting man! And to make matters worse, our country didn't win the gundam fight match today!" Golda complained.

_________________Tell me why, at this turning point in our history, must we fight amongst each other and further pollute the earth?
- Char Aznable, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Marcus put on his formal outfit, a dress suit. He straightened his tie while his cousin struggled to slam out a speech while thoroughly slammed himself. As he left for the room he reserved for the dinner, Reaper stopped him.

"Sir, out men intercepted a transmission to the Neo-Israeli government calling for a hit on your father. Shall I give your order to disseminate false intelligence on an assassination opportunity?"

"Yes, that will do fine. Remember he's mine, Reaper. When the time comes, I will be his judge and the Earthsphere will be the jury." Marcus stepped out the door, stopping to pick up Dante's barely-legible notes. "I guess I can work with these. Who else is attending?"

"Invitations have been sent to all members of the Neo-Israeli team in the vicinity, along with all trusted members of our team. I will personally escort you there." Reaper picked up his massive AT-rifle. MArcus glared at him. "Perhaps I shall stay here to ensure your cousin does not choke on his own vomit?"

"That would be fine, Reaper." Marcus shut the door behind him. He seriously considered explaining the idea of subtlety to Reaper,as he mentally put together a toast in his head.

When he arrived at the dining room, Marcus shook hands with his family and friends, before standing at his place in the round table to wait for the Neo-Israeli delegation.

Raphael arrived at the residence Neo Italy was using as their base of operations for the gundam fight finals. He adjusted his suit as he got out of the car and looked around. It was a rather old chateau done in the classical French style. While it was now quite run down, one could see that in the past, the residence had been quite opulent. "You'll go blind at this rate if you dont stop wearing those sunglasses at night" Golda lectured. Having heard similar complaints for a long while, Raphael just ignored her. Raphael entered the dining room with a distinctly peeved looking Golda and two body guards that stood against a wall with Reaper and his rifle. Not that either of them needed them as their presence was merely a formality. "What kind of mashugga would wear all that armor? A giant gun like that isn't practical either." Golda wondered when she saw Reaper. Raphael didn't pay him any mind as he was too tired and hungry to give a ZOINKS at the moment. He seemed to only give a passing glance at Marcus greeted him with only a slight nod and his name. "This is the director of Neo Israel's gundam fight team Golda Cohen. "Its a pleasure" Golda said obviously feigning any real pleasure at getting dragged to this dinner.

_________________Tell me why, at this turning point in our history, must we fight amongst each other and further pollute the earth?
- Char Aznable, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Reaper, true to his implacable nature simply responded, "I simply strive to eradicate anything that threatens the lives of the Caligulas family as is my purpose. I see no harm in being prepared for an attack that could come at any moment."

"HEY GUYS, I THINK I JUST THRE-" *THUD* "OH sugar I flooping SLIPPED IN IT OH peas and rice THIS IS GROSS ARGH THIS IS SUCH A MESS I HAVEN'T HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SINCE THE THIRD GRADE AW EWW"

"If you'll excuse me Ma'am, there is an urgent matter requiring my attention." Reaper stormed off up the marble staircase, in an attempt to stop Dante from making an even bigger idiot out of himself and everyone with his last name.

Marcus, taking deep breaths, shook the hand of each newcomer. "Pleasure to see you," He said trying to smile while resisting the urge to go upstairs and lock his cousin in the bathroom. When everyone was seated, Marcus took his sat. He made sure for there to be around table: He wanted to suggest equality, even as the host. Marcus clapped his hands. "May I present tonight's meal: A Generous feast of both traditional Neo-Italian food with Neo-Israeli twists! We may have much to discuss, but for now, let us eat, drink, and be merry. And, please, I hope nobody here will overdo it on the wine: My cousin is enough." The food came, and Marcus ate as he mentally rehearsed his speech. This is my big international debut for the plan. I need universal acceptance.

Golda laughed when Dante had his little "accident". "I guess someone can't hold their liquor no?" she said turning to Raphael. "It seems so. That armored man probably will be handing in his 2 weeks notice after this. Cleaning up vomit is definitely not in the job description of a body guard" Rapahel mused. Rapahels eyes gleamed with excitement when the food came and he started eating immediately. Several heaping plates full of pasta later, he was still going strong and was eating his third gigantic pizza between bites of fettuccine with no sign of slowing down anytime soon. "Sorry, Raphi always has to eat like a pig after a fight." Golda apologized. She was already stuffed and was having some coffee while she fidgeting a little bit while she waited for dessert to be served. Someone was going to get the beating of their life if she didn't get some tiramisu with some gelato on the side.

_________________Tell me why, at this turning point in our history, must we fight amongst each other and further pollute the earth?
- Char Aznable, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Marcus burst out in laughter. "Good, good! I once had a dream that the Gundam fights were replaced by an eating contest: It became a nightmare because nobody could compete at my level!" Marcus continued to gorge himself on the feast, periodically making small talk, all through desert.

When the meal was nearing its conclusion, Marcus stood up.

"This meal has been good, as I am sure many of you will agree. I have had a great time here. But unfortunately, the circumstances under which this dinner must occur are very unpleasant. During the fight, my father, Nero Caligulas, exploded and let out words that quite frankly, leave me embarrassed. Let me be the first to apologize for these remarks

This is, regrettably, a small sample of Nero's filth. I suppose you are already aware that the Caligulas family has had a hand in organized crime for generations. We had noble beginnings- The economy was poor, and ridiculous, unfair shipping laws forced us into smuggling to turn a profit. But we had standards and professionalism, and what we did, we did for the community. You'll notice that when the restrictions were lifted over history, we went legitimate with our actions. The Caligulas family became a leading shipping giant. But when Nero took control, he has expanded the criminal empire to beyond anything morally acceptable. We have never smuggled narcotics or arms until he was involved. We did not run numbers, encourage human slavery, keep hired guns at the ready, or any other such thing. Maybe trade with embargoed ports, but never anything illegal in our own country.

Now, Nero's aims have expanded. He already corners the illicit goods market, along with 75% of the Earthsphere's mercenary force. All crime leaders eventually answer to him. Now he wants the world. I suspect that ever since day one, he has groomed me to be his instrument of world domination. Most of my life, I have been faced with hostility and enmity. Needless to say, I have developed into a decent fighter because of it. I cannot help but wonder if this is because of Nero's intention to win the 4th Gundam Fight and control the colonies and the world.

Obviously, something must be done about this. I am already aware that Neo-Israel has already begun plans to take action against Nero. Yes, I know this. If anything, this should serve to show the importance of the problem: Nero's corruption has extended everywhere. I would like to request something else of Neo-Israel: Patience.

My victories leading up to this fight with the Legion Gundam have made me a hero in the eyes of my people. In addition, I have used this fight as an opportunity to, under disguise, destroy my father's vast criminal facilities. This vigilante persona, much to my father's resentment, is becoming a folk hero. I am universally loved among the people of both my nation and the colony. The people are devoted to me.

I intend to use their devotion to successfully enact a coup of the Neo-Italian government.

Our Prime Minister and our Parliament are nothing more than my father's lapdogs. There will never be justice unless they are removed from power. When this takeover is successful, and it will be, I will sit on the throne as the first Royal Emperor of the Constitutional Monarchy of Neo-Italy. The Parliament will be replaced with a Senate that will serve as a balance to the vast power I am entrusting myself with. The constitution is still being prepared, but I assure you that a more perfect government will be decided, and it's first action will be to put Nero Caligulas on trial for his crimes.

While I know Neo-Israel would like to see him tried in an international court, I feel that the only way I can reclaim the honor of my family is to deal with my father myself. He has dragged our name through the mud, and I must be the one to restore it. What I am calling upon Neo-Israel to do would be to recognize the new Neo-Italian Government as a nation, and assist with the revolution however possible. In addition, I would like for them to discover every legal offense he has made under your jurisdiction, and prepare it for his trial. You are the first nation I have divulged this plan to: I'm placing a good deal of my trust with you. I am uneasy how others will respond, as I know Neo-America will not like the idea of a Monarch. But All I ask for is your faith, trust and patience. Neo-Israel, can I- no, can Neo-Italy rely on you through what will become a trying time for us?"

Marcus kept up his confidence, but on the inside, he was panicking. Am I overambitious? Do they frown on my goals? Have I crossed some line?

The Neo American team was being based in a large hangar near the center of the capitol, a few blocks from Guilliaume Stadium. It had probably belong to the Neo Luxembourg military, as it was large enough for a dozen or so MS to stand in, allowing it to easily fit the Neo American hoverbus in, plus some other rooms and whatnot that the Neo Americans really weren't using. The Quarterback Gundam stood in the back of the hangar, and most of the support crew, even Doc, hung around it, largely looking busy but really just avoiding having to take part in the press conference, which was now going on in front of the hoverbus in the middle of the spacious hangar.

Chris sat impassively at the table they'd set up, waiting for things to begin. In front of him were about forty reporters on folding chairs, with another twenty or so standing behind and around them, plus a few TV cameras and photographers. Behind him was a large display board that would change every few seconds to the logo of a different Neo American sponser, of which there were many, and Anderson knew part of the reason for this whole affair was so they'd be seen. The first one up was for Sam Adams. They had to wait a few minutes, because SportsCenter had to do highlights of the fight from earlier in the day, plus a few other quick comments, and to give everyone here one last chance. Valerie stood off to the side, ready to pick the reporters. He picked a piece of lint off the dark blue San Diego Chargers shirt he had on and took a sip from a bottle of water. Finally, someone gave her some signal that they were on, and she pointed to some man in the back that Chris couldn't see in the lights.

"Chris, how do you think you did in today's fight?" He asked, getting in one of the big questions they all wanted early.

Anderson leaned foward on his arms, bringing him slightly closer to the mic. "Alright, I guess. I made a few mistakes, but Miss Värme is obviously a good fighter to have made it this far, and I'm happy with the win." He concluded with a nod. Crusoe had already pointed out the next questioner.

"Any mistakes in particular you feel hurt you?"

Chris gave a quick nod. "I think I wasn't aggressive enough. I had a few chances to really press an attack an' I just played it safe," he admitted as the image behind him shifted from the Dr. Pepper logo to one for Twinkies.

"Why'd you do that?" A female voice asked from the crowd.

"Honestly, we didn't know too much about Neo Switzerland going into the fight," Chris explained. "I didn't find out we were fighting them until the night before, so I didn't get to check too much film on how they fight, so I didn't want to take too many chances on an opponent I really didn't know."

"Can you give a quick comment on the duck move?"

Anderson smiled and snorted a laugh. "Yeah, it just kinda came to me. I did that against, uh, Houston, I think it was, a few years back, and I'd seen it done before. Somethin' basically flying right at my head, I just went with my basic reaction to get the hell away from it, and that worked, and then I got the pass off as quick as I could."

"How do you feel Neo Switzerland compared to the other fights you fought to get to the finals?" The next reporter asked, the camera staying on Chris as it always did, if only to allow the people on TV see the logos of Trojan and Coca Cola.

Anderson thought for a moment before responding. "...Like I said, Miss Värme is a good fighter, but it was pretty clear she didn't know football. She didn't seem ready for some of the stuff I did. As for comparing her to other fights... uh, I guess it was like when I beat Neo France. That was a longer fight and I took a lot of little minor hits, but I adjusted first and took over the fight." Chris somewhat understated. His fight with Neo France a few months earlier had seen the Quarterback Gundam take a number of hits early in the fight, but while the damage had been serious looking, most of it had been cosmetic or minor stuff. After the first five minutes, Anderson had utterly dominated the fight and completely embarrassed his opponent, leaving the Neo French Gundam literally in pieces without even having to use his own ultimate attacks.

The next reporter was one from San Diego who covered Anderson with the Chargers. "What expectations do you have for tomorrows fight against the Neo Ryūkyūs fighter?"

Chris laughed again and shook his head as the image behind him shifted to the current Gatorade logo. "None, really. Haven't seen the film on them yet, that's after I get done here, so I can't say."

"Chris, any thought on the controversy about nations like Neo Ryūkyūs or Neo Kurdistan being allowed in the Gundam Fight?" The next reporter, from CNN, asked. It was still something of an issue that the American media hadn't let go away.

"Well, I was always told that to take part in the Gundam Fight, you need to have a space colony, and I guess the debate on whether they have the right kind of colony or even have colonies, right?" A bunch of people in the first few rows nodded. "I don't even know if they do have any. I don't know and really don't care about that side of the whole thing, but you have to wonder about... well, poor nations like them who are basically going bankrupt to build a Gundam. That doesn't make sense to me..." Anderson grunted with a wave of his hand, looking towards the next reporter Valerie pointed out while the board shifted from Wal-Mart to Taco Bell.

"How do you think Cavanaugh will do with you away from the team for a month?"

Anderson grinned at the change of subject to the NFL. "I think everyone kinda forgot Eric was in the leauge. He took the Chiefs to the playoffs a few times not that long ago and made a couple of Pro Bowls, and he's played great relieving me this year, so I expect him to do very well. That's why we went out and got 'em." Chris concluded. San Diego had jumped on Eric Cavanaugh after he had left Kansas City as a free agent with a contract dispute, knowing full well that Anderson might miss games this season with his commitment to the Gundam Fight.

"Will you be back for the playoffs?" A women in the front row asked as Anderson took another quick sip from his water bottle. The board dissolved the Viagra logo and replaced it with one for Bed, Bath, & Beyond. Anyone who basically chipped in a dollar got their name up there.

"Well, we're supposed to have everything done here in a month or so, so hopefully. I think the final fight here would be the same time as the wildcard round, give or take a few days, and I hope I'm still here, and if that's the case I'd hopefully be back in time for our first playoff game." The Chargers currently had an 11-1 record, and while they were fighting with the Colts, also 11-1, for the top playoff seed in their conference, no one else in the AFC was better than 8-4. On top of that, San Diego had a fairly easy schedule during the last month, mainly against the rest of the AFC West division, the best of whom was the 6-6 Chiefs whom Cavanaugh would be looking to kill. All in all, the Chargers had already faced their toughest regular season games and were basically guarenteed a bye week.

"Have you seen any of the other fights so far?" Someone in the back yelled when it was there turn.

"I haven't really seen any of them. I heard Stedmore got knocked out but didn't really try too hard anyway, but ya know, Dave is Dave and he'll be fine. Other than that, I haven't had a chance to watch SportsCenter to yet." Anderson smiled in front of the Miller Light logo covered board, meaning the comment and knowing it would probably end up on the intro for the all important ESPN show for the rest of the night, along with all the highlights from the fights, which he was interested in seeing at some point.

"We have time for two more." Valerie said quietly as she picked the next reporter.

"Will the Gundam be ready for fight tomorrow?"

Chris nodded. "Yeah, completely. We got a great team and they've drilled to get the QB ready quick, and didn't take too much damage." He pointed out while the board shifted from Marlboros to Jack Daniels.

A number of reporters had their hands up, trying to get Crusoe's attention, but she picked another one at random, this an older reporter in the back. "Chris, now that you've got a fight done, how far do you think you can go?"

Chris paused for a moment, slightly suprised by the question, unknowingly allowing the board to shift to the next logo in its programmed order, Pepsi. "I think I can go all the way and win the whole thing, just like everyone else here should be thinking." He said, his tone as if it was obvious. "I think I have a serious edge in that I fought in more fights getting to the finals than just about anyone, and I have a very balanced Gundam to utilize, and I know very well what I can do. Fundamentally, this isn't all that different from the NFL. I just have to prepare well and then go out and execute properly, and just do it." Anderson finished matter of factly, barely giving time for viewers to get a glimpse of the Nathan's logo. He nodded to the assembled reporters and smiled politely, who all remained seated until he left the view of the display bored, at which point they all knew the TV cameras would stop broadcasting live and it would be okay for them to stand and not block some logo from being seen back in Neo America.

Anderson walked around to the other side of the large hover bus and entered , walking to the back to a small room that he used to study film for the other Gundam fighters. He had a decent amount for the next fight, which would occupy him for a few hours while he watched it and took notes, just like he would against a football team. After that, he have some things he'd have to work out with the team, some quick tweaks and ideas to adjust the Quarterback Gundam. And then, hopefully, he'd be able to catch an hour of SportsCenter for the highlights of the other matches, and whatever else was going on in the sports world, before getting to bed.

"Are you full yet?" Golda asked spitefully when the dishes were cleared away. "No, more like pleasantly satisfied" Raphael said with a grin. He could eat more, but he didn’t want to eat everything in the place either. "Ooh this isn't half bad!" Golda said when she finally got the dessert that she had been craving. "Coming from Golda, that’s a glowing complement!" Raphael laughed as he told Marcus.

During Marcus's speech Raphael listened intently although he maintained an air of indifference about the whole matter. He knew that ultimately whatever course of action to be taken was Golda's decision alone and he was required to follow her orders. Personally, he didn't care what happened to Neo Italy as long as Nero met an untimely end.

Meanwhile Golda seemed to be paying no attention at all to Marcus as she seemed to be more interested with the tapestries on the wall than with anything that Marcus had to say. Only a tense minute after Marcus was done giving his speech did she speak up. “I agree that something must be done about Nero. While I cannot confirm or deny any action being taken against said man by my government, I can say that if any action is being taken against him, it is too late to call it off. For security reasons, like coercion and such, a mission in progress cannot be called off. As for your coup d'état, We can’t help you right now. Voicing our support for you right now would be political suicide. I will ask you to forego personal vengeance and have patience. Politically speaking, it’ll be much better for your image if you let us bring in Nero and have him put on trial. It will become clear in the course of things the level of corruption in your government. Then you will be able to call for elections and become leader of your country legally. I predict, if you are to dispose of Nero yourself and stage a coup against Neo Italy, the world government will turn its back on you. You will be seen not as a glorious enlightened king, but as a despicable despot for killing your father and taking the country by force. No matter how evil your father is or how corrupt Neo Italy is. This is no game boy. In my time I have seen many a young man try such a thing as you wish to do only to become what they despised in the end. “ After her little speech Golda casually took a sip of her coffee and had some more tiramisu. Raphael merely nodded in agreement to what Golda said. There was no doubt in his mind that she was right.

_________________Tell me why, at this turning point in our history, must we fight amongst each other and further pollute the earth?
- Char Aznable, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

OHsugarOHflowerspeasandriceIflippingKNEWITTHEYTHINKI'MAMADMAN. OK, Marcus, calm down. Focus. You're sounding like Dante trying to talk to women. Just relax, and- wait, did she just say you plan on- OK, now grow a pair and stand up for yourself.

Marcus spoke Calmly. Golda's remark about "disposing of" his father, had caused a hush over the Neo-Italian attendants, some visibly offended. Marcus spoke, still calm, hiding his mixture of panic, and indignation.

"Perhaps I did not make something clear. What you have suggested I do: Turn over my own father to a court will will clearly be convicted and sentenced to death- Is unacceptable. In the eyes of our people, murder of one's own parents is one of the most disgusting crimes a person can commit. Patricide and Matricide are two unforgivable actions. If I am to go through with your plan, I would be an outcast among my people- and far worse than Nero ever was. Even when my grandfather, Godfredo Caligulas, god rest his soul, was on his deathbed, my father came to pay his sincere respects. Mark my words, this coup will not harm anyone who does not attempt to harm us first.

As for an election, that is impossible. Perhaps you have not read the Neo-Italian constitution. I have tried, but there are so many loopholes, inconsistencies, and imbalances that it is a miracle our nation can still function. Corruption is rampant, and votes are bought, not earned. Do you think out vastly incompetent Prime Minister was elected by the will of the people? There was widespread voter fraud. If my father's men are to be believed, the dead rose to get up and vote for him. And unless I win this fight, I will never hold any office in Neo-Italy until my father says otherwise.

I appreciate your input, but I fear there is a lack of understanding between our two cultures. I thank you for coming, and wish you the best of luck in this Gundam fight." Marcus stood, and without once breaking his polite appearance despite the rejection, left the room.